From The New York Times, June 3

ALBANY, NY – Gov. David A. Paterson said Wednesday that he vetoed legislation that would have allowed new police officers and firefighters across the state to enroll for a category of pension benefits that was phased out for other public employees in the 1970s.

His veto drew immediate praise from Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and was slammed by a top firefighters union.

The legislation, which would have allowed newly hired police officers and firefighters to enroll for so-called “Tier II” pension benefits, has been routinely reauthorized since 1981. Mr. Paterson, however, has been trying to lower pension costs by persuading lawmakers and public employee unions to accept a new fifth pension tier with lesser benefits.

Under his “Tier V” bill, police officers and firefighters would have to be at least 50 to retire and have put in at least 25 years of work, instead of the current 20. Civilian employees would not be able to retire until the age of 62, instead of the current 55. They would also have to start making their own contributions into the pension system after 10 years of service.

“Nothing says ‘business as usual' like a temporary fix that lasts 28 years,” the governor said in a statement. “Instead of a rubber stamp on a temporary fix, we need to move forward with real reform to the pension system.”

Mr. Bloomberg called the veto “a gutsy decision” that “demonstrated his commitment to fiscal responsibility.”

But Charles J. Morello, president of the New York State Professional Firefighters Association, said “no previous governor has treated labor so badly.”

“We are shocked by this veto, which was accomplished without discussion or other communications with those affected,” he added.